Jeonnam-do consulting XR company won two CES 2025 Innovation Awards. Jeollanam-do announced that Newzac Co., Ltd., a regional leader in extended reality (XR) technology, was recognized for its technology on the global stage by winning innovation awards in the metaverse and content & entertainment categories at the U.S. Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025).
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world’s largest IT and electronic device exhibition held annually in Las Vegas, USA, and is an opportunity to introduce the latest technology trends and innovative products to the world.
The Innovation Award is an award given annually by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the exhibition organizer, to products with innovation and technology. Winners are selected in 33 fields by comprehensively evaluating the product’s design, functionality, user convenience, and marketability.
The fact that Newjak Co., Ltd. won awards in two categories is considered a splendid achievement that proves the technological innovation and global competitiveness of Jeonnam-do companies.
The award-winning product ‘X-RUNNER’ is a cutting-edge extended reality (XR room) platform that can be used without a headset, combining Redirected Walking (RDW) technology and immersive virtual remote experience (CAVE telepresence) technology. It is designed so that users can move freely in virtual space and experience an immersive metaverse without a head-mounted display (HMD). This solution can be installed anywhere, indoors or outdoors, so it can be applied to various industries such as construction, defense industry, and education.
Jeonnam Province operated a joint pavilion at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Exhibition to support local small and medium-sized businesses in advancing into the global market, and provided all-round support to promising companies, including Newjak, including innovation award consulting and help with exhibition preparation. Through this, Jeonnam Province is achieving success in promoting the global competitiveness of the technology industry. Jeonnam Province plans to actively support Jeonnam companies entering the global market and developing overseas sales channels by inviting 15 innovative companies to participate in 2025.
Jeong Hae-hyeon, CEO of Newzak Co., Ltd., said, “Winning this innovation award is thanks to the strong support of Jeonnam Province. “We will continue to cooperate with Jeollanam-do to further grow in the global market,” he said.
Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok said, “Through exhibitions, we are informing the world of Jeonnam’s excellent technology and investment attractiveness.” He added, “We will continue to participate in various international exhibitions to support the overseas expansion of innovative companies in the province and enhance the competitiveness of Jeonnam’s information and communication technology (ICT) industry.” “We plan to strengthen it,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Jeollanam-do announced that Cukia Co., Ltd., which achieved annual sales of about 4 billion won with tofu snacks, won the grand prize in the final competition of the ‘2024 Social Economy Investment Attraction Capacity Building and Market Entry Support Project’ promoted as part of supporting the self-reliance and growth of social economy enterprises.
This competition, promoted for the first time this year by Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO KDN, KEPCO KPS, and Jeonnam Province to support the self-reliance and growth of local social economy enterprises, was held at KEPCO KDN on the 13th. Solidarity and cooperation between social economy enterprises and various organizations added to the meaning of coexistence.
Among the 20 social economy enterprises that completed investment capacity building training last October, 10 companies selected through a mock competition participated in the finals.
The screening was conducted by nine investment judges who comprehensively evaluated the social mission, growth potential, differentiation, and innovation through each company’s investment attraction presentation of approximately 15 minutes.
As a result of the judging, Cookia won the grand prize. Cookia is a company that achieved sales of 4.124 billion won in 2023 through the production and sales of tofu snacks, contributing to the development of the local community by creating jobs through the employment of immigrant women from multicultural families.
On this day, Cookia introduced its social value expansion activities and emphasized the need for facility investment to expand its entry into overseas markets, and received excellent evaluations on various indicators such as innovation, originality, growth potential, and social value expansion.
The Excellence Award went to ▲Beautifully Green Pear Agricultural Association, which practices rural convergence industrialization by developing products using pears, a local resource, and ▲Achieved sales of 1.68 billion won in 2023 with jam using fermented grain sugar using a traditional fermentation method. Enzyme Farm, an agricultural corporation ▲Damwoo Co., Ltd., an agricultural corporation that dreams of globalizing local elders and vegetables, won the award after receiving high praise in the areas of innovation and solving community problems.
In addition, ▲Ssangjitteul Traditional Food Co., Ltd., an agricultural corporation, one of the representative local village enterprises that achieved sales of 998 million won in 2023 with stick scorched rice made from locally produced rice ▲Sprout peanuts using smart farms Nanum Bio Co., Ltd., which introduced high-performance natural materials development and commercialization plans, each received an encouragement award.
The six companies that are finally selected will receive a listing from the governor and a total prize money of 55 million won, and will also be provided with opportunities to participate in other investment competitions and connect with investment institutions.
Gwang-Hwan Wi, head of the Jeollanam-do Job and Investment Promotion Bureau, said, “Social enterprises that create sustainable economic and social values, and village enterprises that are leading the way in solving regional problems through profit-making businesses utilizing local resources, will use this opportunity to strengthen their investment attraction capabilities and further strengthen their investment attraction capabilities.” “I look forward to making a big leap forward,” he said, adding, “I ask residents to show interest and support so that the social economy can become one of the leading pillars of the local economy.”
Jeonnam Province is pursuing various support policies, including support for product brand and design development, facilities and equipment, and new product development, to create a sustainable growth ecosystem that actively responds to changes in the government’s social economy policy.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo: Jeonnam Province
.
What are the key innovations introduced by Newzac Co., Ltd. that differentiate X-RUNNER from other XR technologies in the market?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Jeong Hae-hyeon, CEO of Newzac Co., Ltd.
Editor: Welcome, Jeong Hae-hyeon! Congratulations on winning not one, but two CES 2025 Innovation Awards. What does this achievement mean for Newzac and for the Jeonnam Province?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: Thank you very much! Winning these awards is not just a personal victory for Newzac, but a significant recognition for Jeonnam Province’s burgeoning technology sector. It validates our hard work and innovation in the XR field, showcasing our potential on a global stage.
Editor: The Consumer Electronics Show is a massive event. Can you tell us about the significance of the platform and what it was like to showcase your product, X-RUNNER, there?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: CES is the pinnacle of technology exhibitions worldwide. It’s not just about showcasing our product; it’s about engaging with global audiences, investors, and industry leaders. Presenting X-RUNNER, which offers an immersive XR experience without a headset, felt revolutionary. We’re merging advanced technologies like Redirected Walking with a virtual remote experience to enhance user interaction in various sectors, from construction to education.
Editor: That sounds fascinating! Could you dive deeper into X-RUNNER’s capabilities? How does it differentiate itself from existing XR technologies?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: Certainly! What sets X-RUNNER apart is its ability to deliver an immersive experience without the need for cumbersome equipment like head-mounted displays. Users can navigate freely in a virtual space, leading to more natural interactions. This adaptability allows businesses to implement our solution in various environments, whether it’s large training facilities or even outdoor settings.
Editor: Impressive! It seems like Jeonnam Province has a robust strategy to support local businesses. Could you share how Jeonnam has helped Newzac and other companies reach this level?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: Absolutely! Jeonnam Province has provided invaluable support, from initial consulting for innovation awards to comprehensive assistance with exhibition preparations. They even set up joint pavilions at major events like CES, ensuring that local SMEs can gain visibility and connect with international markets. This support is crucial, as it enables us to leverage our strengths and compete globally.
Editor: Governor Kim Young-rok emphasized the importance of promoting Jeonnam’s technology on the global front. What further support do you envision for the local tech industry to escalate its international footprint?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: Continuous participation in global exhibitions is key. Increasing collaboration among local innovative companies and fostering talent through partnerships with educational institutions can strengthen our capabilities. Initiatives aimed at facilitating overseas sales channels will also provide substantial growth opportunities for companies like us.
Editor: On a different note, I noticed that Cookia Co., Ltd., another local business, was recently recognized for its efforts in social economy. What does this reflect about the broader ecosystem in Jeollanam-do?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: It’s inspiring! Cookia’s success illustrates that innovation doesn’t solely stem from technology; social value and community impact are equally important. The synergy among businesses that aim to contribute to social welfare strengthen Jeonnam’s ecosystem, positioning us as a hub of not just technological innovation, but also social responsibility.
Editor: looking ahead, what are your plans for Newzac in the next few years? How do you see the XR industry evolving?
Jeong Hae-hyeon: We aim to solidify our presence in the international market while exploring new applications for XR technology in various fields. The XR industry is on the brink of significant growth, especially in training and education sectors. We’re committed to leading this evolution with innovative solutions and collaborative projects that push the boundaries of what is possible in the XR space.
Editor: Thank you, Jeong Hae-hyeon, for your insights and for sharing your exciting journey with us. Best of luck as you continue to innovate and inspire!
Jeong Hae-hyeon: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure to discuss our journey and the future of the XR industry.